Free — you'll pick up right here.

California

Merced River

No verdict for this water

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

  • Inside Yosemite National Park

    2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.

    Boundary data

What's missing

  • No access route mapped

    We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

11.0 mi run
Flows year-round
1,854 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Flows year-round
Average flow
1,854 cfs
Average current
1.7 ft/s
Gradient
158.6 ft/mi
Drainage area
1,154 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

Here's your day on the water, mapped

Merced River

AI-suggested draft · review before you go

Building your full AI plan…
More about this water ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

Get Directions

Permits & access

Managing agency
National Park Service

About this water

Merced River is a 11-mile paddling stretch near Yosemite National Park, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 1,854 cfs and a gradient of about 158.6 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the National Park Service.

Add to a trip & share

Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

South Fork Tuolumne RiverPhoto: Eeekster, CC BY 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Fork Tuolumne River

~38 min drive

South Fork Tuolumne River is a 24-mile paddling stretch near Groveland, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 266 cfs and a gradient of about 209.6 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Silver Lake Boat Launch

~37 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Chilkoot

~41 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Rush CreekPhoto: Greg Reis, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rush Creek

~40 min drive

Rush Creek is a 16-mile paddling stretch near June Lake, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 142 cfs and a gradient of about 223.7 feet per mile.

Gull Lake Carry-on Boat Launch

~40 min drive

Gull Lake Carry-on Boat Launch is a boat launch in California.

Briceburg Put-in

~45 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Fresno RiverPhoto: California High-Speed Rail Authority, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Fresno River

~56 min drive

Fresno River is a 31-mile paddling stretch near Coarsegold, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 158 cfs and a gradient of about 75.2 feet per mile.

Mammoth Pool Boating Site

~47 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Illilouette Creek

~4 min drive

Illilouette Creek is a 11-mile paddling stretch near Yosemite National Park, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 96 cfs and a gradient of about 389.7 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the National Park Service.

Cherry Lake Boating Site

~50 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.